Glioblastoma Multiform, multiple inoperable tumors

[karenmyers]

GOT MY PATHOLOGY REPORT BACK FROM MY BIOPSY.  MY DIAGNOSIS IS GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORM, GRADE IV. THESE TUMORS ARE GRADED INSTEAD OF STAGED. GRADE IV BEING THE WORST. THERE ARE SEVERAL. WE THOUGHT FOUR, BUT THE SURGEON SAID YESTERDAY PROBABLY FIVE OR MORE. HE IS ADAMENT THAT THEY ARE INOPERABLE. IT IS A VERY AGGRESSIVE CANCER, AND GROWS AND ATTACHES TO HEALTHY BRAIN CELLS VERY QUICKLY. WITHOUT SURGERY LIFE EXPECTANCY IS NOT VERY LONG, SO WE HAVE DECIDED TO PURSUE THAT AVENUE THUROUGHLY BEFORE ACCEPTING THAT DECISION. I GOT THE NAME OF A NEUROSURGEON AT KARMANOS CANCER CENTER IN DETROIT THAT TENDS TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE WITH DOING SURGERIES THAT OTHERS DO NOT WANT TO DO. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO GO TO UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN FOR TREATMENT OPTIONS. THAT WOULD BE TO PURSUE THE MORE TRADITIONAL TREATMENT OF RADIATION AND CHEMO (BUYS A COUPLE OF MONTHS) YIPPEE.
ANYONE ELSE GOING THROUGH THIS TYPE OF BRAIN CANCER, AND WHAT IS YOUR TREATMENT? EVERYTHING MOVES SLOW. I SHOULD BE IN TREATMENT, AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE A RECOMONDATION YET.

[pamsr]

Why can't they use the gamma knife treatment? They zap the tumors instead of removing them. This kills them, then they are unable to grow.
Pam

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Dear Karen

The treatment for glioblastomas is definitely a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. If the surgery can be performed and the tumor is grossly removed, it will offer better long term tumor control.
If you want I can review your films free of charge.
Gamma-knife is not a standard treatment for glioblastomas.